John Miller

Freestate Travel & RiverCruiseComparison.com

2026 Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel) with Avalon

Dec 8, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026

Christmastime on the Romantic Rhine

Offered by Freestate Travel in conjunction with rivercruisecomparison.com
john@rivercruisecomparison.com
 
 
December 8-15, 2026
Amsterdam to Basel
Ship: Avalon View
 
One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this delightful winter cruise on the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland! This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Cologne, Germany—a 2,000-year-old city known for its Gothic architecture—will be an exciting stop with its famous twin-spired cathedral and Old Town with many shops, cafés, and taverns. While you’re there, why not try a locally brewed Kölsch beer? Pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit the captivating Gutenberg Museum or take an excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle towering magnificently over the city. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. The city’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and finest in Europe. Stop in Breisach, Germany, located on the French-German border, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. At every stop, you’ll experience the magical charm of this time of year, with the towns decked out in festive lights and décor, and the Christmas markets waiting to be explored.
 
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BOOK NOW and take advantage of almost $600 in savings - an exclusive $300 per cabin savings on the cruise fare + free pre-paid gratuities (a value of $292).  A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person holds your cabin until final payment, which is due September 9, 2026.

Itinerary:

  • December 8, 2026 (Amsterdam): Embarkation
 
  • December 9, 2026 (Amsterdam)
 
  • December 10, 2026 (Cologne)
 
  • December 11, 2026 (Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim)
 
  • December 12, 2026 (Mainz - Heidelberg)
 
  • December 13, 2026 (Strasbourg)
 
  • December 14, 2026 (Breisach)
 
  • December 15, 2026 (Basel): Disembarkation
 
 
 
 
 
 Categories P, A, B
 
 
 
Categories D, E
 
 

What's included:

  • Cruise fare
  • Port taxes & fees
  • Choice of shore excursions
  • All meals while onboard the ship
  • Beer & wine with lunch and dinner (plus during a 1-hour happy hour prior to dinner)
  • Wi-Fi while onboard the ship (availability and strength of connection not guaranteed at all times during the sailing)
  • EXCLUSIVE: Pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director

What's not included:

  • Roundtrip air transportation
  • Ground transportation to/from the ship (can be added on for additional cost through Avalon Waterways or a 3rd party provider)
  • Gratuities for excursion drivers or guides
  • Travel protection/insurance (can be added at time of booking through Avalon Waterways OR with a 3rd party insurer)
  • Visa (ETIAS) fees

Have questions?

  • 443.833.4125
  • info@freestatetravel.com
 1. Bookings, Deposits & Payments

To reserve your vacation, provide the required booking information and pay the applicable deposit per person, including full payment of the Travel Protection (if selected). We reserve the right to treat the booking as canceled by you if the balance is not paid when due. Final payment will be due by September 9, 2026.

2. Travel Documents

It is the guest's responsibility to obtain and possess all valid travel documents for their vacation. This includes acquiring all visas and immunizations required for their nationality by all countries on the itinerary. All guests travelling with Avalon Waterways are required to carry a valid passport. Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months for travel to Europe after the scheduled return date to your home country.
 
Only after receipt of full payment, Digital Travel Documents (including airline confirmation information, if applicable) will be sent via email approximately 3-4 weeks prior to departure.

3. Travel Protection

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel protection to guard against unforeseen situations and to protect your travel investment. If you are interested in purchasing travel protection please add on the "request travel protection quote" during the booking process and Freestate Travel will reach out to you to discuss options.

4. Changes & Cancellations

In the unfortunate event that you must cancel travel, notice must be made to Freestate Travel during standard business hours or via email to info@freestatetravel.com which must include writing stating clearly and correctly each guest's name and ship sail date, with a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not deemed sufficient. Cancellations received within 24 hours of vacation start date will be deemed as trip interruption, cannot be cancelled and are 100% non-refundable. The effective date of cancellation is the date that Avalon Waterways receives cancellation notice (typically within 1 business day of notifying Freestate Travel). A change in sailing date, name changes, the substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all applicable cancellation charges apply. A reduction in occupancy is subject to single supplement charge. All other cancellation charges are per person, based on the cancellation date, as follows:

Prior to September 9, 2026: Cabin deposit

September 10, 2026 until 30 days prior to departure: 50% of total price

29-1 days prior to departure: 80% of total price

Day of departure or later: 100% of total price

Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST15578 | CST 2090937-50 | Washington UBID No. 603189022

Available Packages

Category D Cabin
Available until September 9, 2026

$3,905.00
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (2 left)
LAST CABINS
 
Pricing shown is per person.
 
Includes EXCLUSIVE savings of $150 per person and pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director.
 
Category availability is not guaranteed. Once request has been made, the category will be validated with Avalon Waterways. While you will be authorizing deposit, the actual payment of deposit will not be made unless category availability is confirmed.

Category E Cabin
Available until September 9, 2026

$3,905.00
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (3 left)
LAST CABINS
 
Pricing shown is per person.
 
Includes EXCLUSIVE savings of $150 per person and pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director.
 
Category availability is not guaranteed. Once request has been made, the category will be validated with Avalon Waterways. While you will be authorizing deposit, the actual payment of deposit will not be made unless category availability is confirmed.

Category B Cabin
Available until September 9, 2026

$5,804.00
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (4 left)
Pricing shown is per person.
 
Includes EXCLUSIVE savings of $150 per person and pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director.
 
Category availability is not guaranteed. Once request has been made, the category will be validated with Avalon Waterways. While you will be authorizing deposit, the actual payment of deposit will not be made unless category availability is confirmed.

Category A Cabin
Available until September 9, 2026

$5,904.00
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (4 left)
Pricing shown is per person.
 
Includes EXCLUSIVE savings of $150 per person and pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director.
 
Category availability is not guaranteed. Once request has been made, the category will be validated with Avalon Waterways. While you will be authorizing deposit, the actual payment of deposit will not be made unless category availability is confirmed.

Category P Cabin
Available until September 9, 2026

$5,954.00
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (3 left)
LAST CABINS
 
Pricing shown is per person.
 
Includes EXCLUSIVE savings of $150 per person and pre-paid gratuities for onboard staff and cruise director.
 
Category availability is not guaranteed. Once request has been made, the category will be validated with Avalon Waterways. While you will be authorizing deposit, the actual payment of deposit will not be made unless category availability is confirmed.

Extra Options

Trip Protection
Available until September 9, 2026

$0.00

I am interested in purchasing travel protection. Select this option to have Freestate Travel reach out to discuss (pricing and payment details will be included in review of options).

Pre- or post-cruise extensions
Available until September 9, 2026

$0.00

Want to stay a few extra days before and/or after your cruise? Select this option to have Freestate Travel reach out to discuss location options, pricing, and transfers.